Second Stone (17 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Before they could answer Emariya, a maid beckoned their group to the intimate dining hall where Celiah waited to receive them. As it wasn’t a formal affair, Jessa and Garith were permitted to attend.

“Are you sure it’s all right that I come? I could just eat with the servants,” Jessa whispered nervously as they were escorted through the winding palace corridors. The four friends, accompanied by four guards, followed close behind the Sheas serving girl who had been sent to retrieve them.

“Of course it is—why? You used to eat with me all the time when we were home.” Emariya wondered why the girl was so nervous.

“Have you not noticed that we aren’t exactly at home? We’re in a palace!”

“And we might as well make the best of it.” Emariya grinned playfully. It felt good to be so lighthearted with Jessa again. Things between them had never quite recovered since they’d each taken a life. Somewhere along the way, they’d both lost the carefree girls they had once been.

Jessa gave her an understanding smile as she reached out and squeezed Emariya’s hand.

The private dining hall was cozily lit and comfortably warm. Smoked fish left a pungent aroma in the air, making Emariya’s mouth water as the serving girl announced their arrival.

“Come in, come in,” Celiah warmly welcomed them into the room. If she was surprised at the additional supper guests, she hid it well.

Behind her aunt, Emariya caught sight of a dark-haired young man, a little older than Torian, seated at the table with a bored expression.

Catching Emariya’s eye, he smiled, not bothering to mask how keenly he was sizing her up. “Forgive me,” he murmured in a pleasant, low voice. “Where are my manners, My Lady?”

“Her Highness, Blaine,” Aunt Celiah corrected with a hiss.

“Sorry, Mother. Your Highness.” An amused smile played on his lips. Apart from the telltale Roth blue eyes, he was his father in miniature.

“Riya will be fine,” Emariya said graciously, “After all, it sounds like we are family?”

“So it would appear.” For a moment the bored expression returned to his eyes, only to be replaced by curiosity as Jessa stepped from behind Emariya.

Jessa blushed to match her hair as introductions circulated and they took their places at the heavily laden table.

“Rees will hopefully be along later. He said we shouldn’t wait for him.” Celiah smiled apologetically.

Servants flitted in and out, refilling glasses and clearing plates. For a while, the room was full of nothing but the sounds of content eating. It had been far too long since the companions had last sat down for a meal not cooked by campfire.

Blaine was the first to break the quiet. “Here I was, worried you’d come to try and take my throne, when it seems you’ve secured one of your own,
Your Highness.
” His teasing grin made it impossible to know if he were being serious or not.

“Blaine!” Celiah’s pale face colored crimson and her eyes flashed. “I’m so sorry,” she apologized. Cutting her eyes at her son, she added, “Rees has groomed him to lead Sheas, and somewhere along the way he’s gotten it into his head that he can say whatever he pleases to whoever he wishes.”

Blaine shrugged. “It’s worked so far.”

Jessa bit her lip.

Wondering what her handmaiden was holding back, Emariya smiled sweetly. “It’s all right, Aunt Celiah, I’ve been groomed for positions of power, as well. I have many years of practice at ignoring men making an ass of themselves.”

Torian’s jaw dropped, and Garith couldn’t suppress his own giant chuckle.

“Milady!” Jessa scolded, her face beet red.

Lady Celiah was left looking back and forth between her niece and her son. Finally, she, too, managed a small smile. “It would seem we have much to learn about each other,” she said.

Her son spoke up again. “Mother tells me you can’t use your gifts.”

“I don’t have much command of the gift of the
Roths
, no.”
Let him stew over the meaning of that one.
Emariya silently congratulated herself.

Celiah gave Blaine a pointed look.

Blaine sighed. “Mother would be most pleased if I would help you learn.”

Emariya bristled at the idea of him teaching her anything. Across the table, Blaine was smirking at her, looking like he expected her to refuse. She smiled sweetly. “I would most appreciate seeing what you can teach me.”

Torian sat back from the table, pushing his plate away. “My Lady, might I ask how it came about that you were unaware your niece had children?”

Lady Celiah’s eyes misted over. “Emariya’s mother didn’t leave under the best of circumstances. We didn’t have much contact with her after she married Lord Warren.”

“So the Roths didn’t want her to marry a Warren?” Garith asked from across the table.

Shaking her head, Celiah answered, “No. We weren’t specifically opposed to it, but she was needed here. She was to lead Sheas someday, and honestly, we didn’t all agree with her notion that peace was possible.”

“It wasn’t,” Jessa spoke up quietly.

Emariya elaborated, “The day the Separatists came, Jessa’s mother hid my brother and I, as well as Jessa. It’s the only reason we survived.”

“Thank The Three for that,” Celiah said. “Riya, I hope you don’t mind my asking, but did you get to know your mother? Before she passed?”

“I was only an infant, unfortunately.”

“Such a shame. Has she spoken to you through the gift?”

Thinking of what exactly her mother
had
done through the gift, a lump rose in Emariya’s throat. She looked to Torian for support. He reached out and took her hand, squeezing it.

“Valencia trapped Emariya in her mind for over a week. We—” His voice broke. “We thought she was lost for good.”

Heat rose in Emariya’s cheeks and her chest tightened, hearing the love in Torian’s voice. Guilt at how reckless she’d been in front of Rees earlier and what it must have done to Torian chewed at her conscience.

The door at the back of the dining hall opened and Rees Hendel strode in.

Blaine shot to his feet as his father entered. “Father. His Highness just informed us that Valencia Warren trapped her daughter in a dream state.
She
may not be a friend to the Roths and Hendels.” He gestured accusingly at Emariya, a smug smile spreading across his face as he sought his father’s approval.

Rees’s eyes flicked quickly between his son and his guests. “Sit down and control yourself,” he said, dismissing his son. “You’ve upset your mother.” After frowning at his wife, who was near tears, Rees took a seat at the head of the table.

Sulking, Blaine dropped into his chair with a huff.

“Care to explain?” Rees prompted, looking from Torian to Emariya.

Quickly they filled him in.

“I see. I don’t know that this changes anything, but it certainly puts everything in an interesting light. It’s true that I was concerned after my niece’s death, and because of it I commandeered leadership of Sheas. But I didn’t do it out of an overpowering love for my niece, though I did love her dearly. I did it because I began to worry she might be as crazy as her brother. It obviously runs in the Roth blood. I couldn’t trust Alrec to lead, so I took it instead. Hopefully, my son shows himself to be more of a Hendel than a Roth.”

Emariya wasn’t sure who bristled at Rees’s comment more, Blaine or herself. Regardless, she understood his point.

A servant hustled in and offered a plate of food to her master. Rees waved her away. “I’m not hungry. I just wanted to say farewell. I’ll be leaving in the morning for Thandrel’s Fjord.”

She was unable to hold back the gasp that escaped. “I actually wanted to propose an idea to you regarding our issue at Thandrel’s Fjord,” Emariya said, trying not to let her nervousness show.

Rees arched an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

“Well…” Emariya cleared her throat. “First, I had intended to ask you to withdraw.” From across the table, Blaine laughed. His father, however, didn’t look amused.

Torian took over. “We were going to ask you to withdraw. Unfortunately, now I don’t think that will be advantageous to any of us. We need to mount a rescue mission for both Emariya’s father and my sister, who we think is being held at Warren’s Rest. Based on what you told us earlier, I think Lord Warren may be being held there, as well.”

“Quite possibly,” Hendel said.

“We would prefer to conduct the rescue with the least amount of casualties possible,” Torian said.

“Oh, so you want me to fight them at Thandrel’s Fjord so you don’t have to fight them at Warren’s Rest.” Rees Hendel grinned.

“No!” Emariya shouted.

Garith said, “No, Milord, We would like for you to distract them at the fjord while we liberate Warren’s Rest, rescuing Lord Oren and Princess Terin.”

“Once we’ve rescued Lord Oren Warren, he can unseat his son and remove his men from Thandrel’s Fjord if you will remove yours,” Torian added.

“If I will remove my men?” Rees Hendel looked skeptical.

“Well, you can’t expect us to just leave it for you to take.” Emariya glared at him. A servant removed the plate she’d pushed away. She leaned across the newly cleared table. “Uncle, the men at the fjord—they are the men I’ve known all my life. They are my people. I do
not
want to see them harmed. I will fight for them if I must.”

“Lady Warren, I feel for your plight, I do. Unfortunately, your brother has been initiating several skirmishes in the Borderlands, and now at the fjord. We moved on the fjord to protect our outposts near the Borderlands that
your people
attacked first.”

“But that’s not true!”
It couldn’t be—Reeve said…

“It is true.” Blaine crossed his arms. “For a year now, you’ve been attacking us.”

“Not her, her brother,” Rees corrected. Looking Emariya straight in the eye, he told her, “That’s how you need to think of it, too. They aren’t
your
people anymore. They are Reeve’s. And I cannot allow him to provoke us without retaliation.
My people
deserve better than that.”

The weight of his words pressed on Emariya. Was it truly hopeless? Had her brother started it all?

“What if she can convince them to stand down?” Garith spoke up.

Rees leaned back in his chair. “I’m listening.”

––––––––

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Garith shifted nervously, realizing every eye in the room was on him. Torian gave him a barely perceptible nod, encouraging him to continue.

“Riya can be very persuasive.” Across from him, Riya flushed at the intended compliment. “She and I have been friends my entire life, and I’ve followed her, no matter where she has wanted to go. She’s earned my respect, and the respect of all the tenants at Warren’s Rest. Jessa and I have followed her through two lands now, led by loyalty alone.”

Jessa nodded her agreement. “It’s true. The people of Warren’s Rest have confidence in her. They would protect her with their lives.”

“Not only has she inspired us, but the entire army of Thalmas is willing to fight for her, as well, and they haven’t known her nearly as long as we have. I know because I’ve been commanding them.”

“But do the people of Eltar not offer the same loyalty to her brother?” Master Hendel asked.

Garith shook his head. “No.” He ignored Emariya’s surprised gasp. “They follow him because tradition says they should follow him. The Council is led by the Warrens; he’s the oldest and—” He glanced cautiously at Emariya before continuing, “she’s a girl. Succession doesn’t usually pass through the female line in Eltar, unless there is no male heir. But I give you my word: they would follow her.”

“Lord Warren pays no heed to those he deems beneath him. The tenants, they know Emariya and they love her. They will follow her,” Jessa said.

“And what about the Council? Will they, too, follow her?” Master Hendel asked.

He didn’t know. Garith looked to Emariya, who still looked unsure.

“I don’t know. Lord Calkirk would side with me, especially if we told the Council that Reeve detained my father. I am unsure about the rest,” Emariya said.

“Only one way to find out,” Torian said.

“What’s in it for us?” Blaine asked.

Hendel glared. “Don’t be daft, son.”

“But you said—”

His father interrupted him. “Yes, I said that a leader must consider what it means to his people before the people of others, but the benefit here is obvious. If we can avoid bloodshed at Thandrel’s Fjord and remove Reeve Warren from power, it is good for everyone.”

“Would you consider a treaty with Thalmas, as well?” Torian asked.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, let’s see if she can actually exert her influence over
her
people at Thandrel’s Fjord, or if they follow her brother’s orders instead. Then we will see. If she can unite Thalmas and Eltar beneath her—peacefully—I would be willing to at least consider a treaty. But make no mistake, if she can’t, I will do whatever I have to, regardless of who I have to go through.”

Garith shuddered.

A pained expression came over Emariya’s face as she said, “I will make them listen to me. Somehow, I must.”

Torian stood from the table and Emariya followed his example. “If we’re to leave in the morning, I need to let my men know.”

Garith stood, too. “I’ll go with you.”

“Blaine, since their escorts will be otherwise occupied, see that they get back to the guest wing.” Hendel gestured to Emariya and Jessa.

“Our guards can take us—that won’t be necessary.” Emariya looked aghast at the thought of being escorted by Blaine. Garith couldn’t help a self-satisfied smile. She disliked him as much as Garith did. It was nice to know that as much as things had changed, he still knew her well.

Hendel shook his head. “Nonsense, he will escort you.”

Lady Hendel, who had been quiet for quite a while, rose and gave Emariya a hug. “I wish we had more time. I will see you at some point before you ride out.”

“Ride?” Emariya asked. “I assumed we would be going by ship.”

All the natives of Sheas shook their heads, but it was Master Rees who spoke. “The seas are still too rough yet.”

Garith couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed; he would have liked to see a real ship.

“Try to be nice,” he whispered in Emariya’s ear as he passed her on his way out of the room.

––––––––

Emariya attempted to keep herself from sulking as her cousin ushered her out of the room.

“After you, Your Highness.” Blaine bowed as he held the door for her with an exaggerated flourish. Once she was through, he offered his arm. Somehow, he managed to make the title sound more insulting than respectful.

Shaking her head, Emariya politely declined.

“Oh, come on now, I won’t bite.” Blaine arched his eyebrows and smiled at her. She could almost think it was sincere. He did have a nice smile when he wasn’t glaring or growling.

Proper. Lady’s. Shoes
. “Fine.”

She’d never been formally escorted by someone she so despised before.

“Did you have much of a chance to see my city as you rode through before you came begging at our gates?” Blaine asked.

From behind her, Emariya heard Jessa gasp. Plastering a practiced smile on her face, she turned her head to see his reaction. “Your city? Funny, I was always taught that Sheas Harbor was the home of the Roths. You don’t
look
much like a Roth.”

Blaine whirled, using his natural height to intimidate her, nearly forcing her back against the wall. She tilted her chin upwards and looked him square in the eye, refusing to back down. Metal clanked nearby as her guards closed in, ready to defend her.

“I have been groomed to lead this city and this land from the day I was born. I may be more Hendel than Roth, but at least I can use my gift, and I’m not nearly as likely as you to turn up crazy! Like mother, like daughter.”

Emariya waved the guards back, silently begging them to hold their places. If she were to have any hope of Blaine ever respecting her, she needed to stand on her own.

“Why are you so threatened by me? Do you foolishly assume that just because my birthright trumps yours, I will automatically want to take your kingdom from you? Do you crave power so much that you believe everyone else must, as well? Or are you so determined to prove to your father that you are a Hendel, not a Roth, that you are acting exactly like a Roth not getting his way?”

Blaine opened his mouth to speak, but Emariya didn’t give him the chance. “I’ve been around my brother enough to know when a man’s feathers are ruffled and when a Roth-rooster is crowing over his territory and pouting at the thought of having his feathers plucked.”

Pushing past him, Emariya continued down the hall while her guards and Jessa scurried to keep up. With his long, easy strides, Blaine matched her step for step. It wasn’t long before they came silently to her door. “Your Highness, I think I need to apologize—”

“Save it.” Emariya stomped inside, slamming the door behind her. Who did he think he was?

––––––––

Jessa looked between the abruptly closed door and Blaine. “Perhaps I should give her some time to herself. I need to get her things from the washroom, anyway. They were taken away to be cleaned.” She looked around nervously. Which way to the servants’ wing?

Blaine flashed her a genuine smile. Unlike earlier, when he’d spoken to Riya. “Come on, I’ll show you.” He offered her an arm. “My Lady?”

Jessa felt a traitorous flush creep into her cheeks. “Why is it that you can be so nice to me and so rotten to her?” She rested her fingers lightly on his arm and willed her heart to slow as it spasmed erratically in her chest. Not only was she being formally escorted—which just didn’t happen to a servant—she was being formally escorted by the son of the leader of Sheas.
Who is my best friend’s rival
, she quickly reminded herself. Liking him was
not
an option.

Blaine didn’t immediately answer, but the silence as he led her through the grand corridors didn’t really bother Jessa. Finally, he spoke up. “My father is very demanding. I think he is trying to justify his actions—to me, to my mother. Maybe to everyone. He has always implied that if I turn out to be a bad leader, splitting our family away from the Roths will have been for nothing.”

“That’s a lot of pressure.”

“You have no idea.”

“You’d be surprised. I’m supposed to somehow keep Emariya safe. My mother saved her life, and her brother’s and mine. But she couldn’t save Lady Valencia. My mother expects me to do better than she did and keep my Lady safe. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not, but Emariya isn’t exactly easy to look after.”

The corners of Blaine’s lips turned up in a crooked smile.

“And believe it or not, Emariya would understand, too, if you would just talk sensibly with her about it. Everyone has told her how much she resembles her mother. And now, she knows her mother has been behind much of the trouble we’ve faced. It’s not an easy thing to accept. Some, like her brother, want her to finish what her mother started. And others say it will be the end of us all. Do you realize how much pressure is on her, being a Second Stone?”

Blaine sighed. “I’ve been an ass, haven’t I?”

With a laugh, Jessa nodded while trying to ignore how much her eyes kept returning to his smile. “Just a bit. But Emariya will forgive you.”

“I wouldn’t if I were her.”

“Then perhaps you have something to learn from each other.”

“What do you mean?”

“Will you actually work with her to teach her to use the gifts of the Roths? No foolishness. She isn’t trying to take your throne. But she’s got to be able to stand against her brother, and he can use his gift of the Roths. I don’t want her to be outmatched.”

“She honestly doesn’t want my throne?” Blaine rubbed at his forehead.

Jessa threw up her hands in exasperation, letting go of Blaine’s arm. “Why would she? She’s tied to two lands already—she doesn’t even want the throne of Thalmas. Just Torian himself. All she wants is to live. She doesn’t want to lead. Thanks to her mother, though, that isn’t possible. To live, she must lead.”